Civil War "Hell" Trivia Quiz

Answer: William T Sherman

Sherman had been severely criticized early in the war and learned quickly. During the war newspapers often were the only source of news. Reporters often sensationalized stories supporting or attacking anyone in politics or uniform - anything that would sell papers. Look at press given to Jeff Davis or Abraham Lincoln. If history repeats itself, today's events show others share similar opinions.

Answer: Forrest at Shiloh

Nathan Bedford Forrest, scouting into the night, witnessed thousands of Union reinforcements arrive after the first day's fighting. His reports seemed to reach few. Reinforcements alone seemed to equal the remaining Confederate soldiers left to fight the second day.

Answer: New Hope Church

As Sherman headed for Atlanta, a maneuver toward Dallas resulted in several battles around New Hope Church, Dallas, and Pickett's Mill. This is one of the earliest examples of trench warfare where troops had dug and fortified trenches and with breastworks. Dense forest, undergrowth, mud and rain added to the misery of Hell Hole.

Answer: Lincoln after hearing of Fredericksburg

Abraham Lincoln, upon hearing of the Union disaster at Fredericksburg, December 1862. The Emancipation Proclamation was to take effect in January and another loss now was devastating. 1862 was not ending well for the Union.

Answer: Gen Philip Kearny

Union General Philip Kearny used these words to describe his leadership ability.
At 21, Kearny became a millionaire. He received a law degree, fought in wars in France, Mexico, and the Indian wars. He traveled the world and became a cavalry commander when the Civil War erupted. He is noted for urging his troops forward by declaring, "Don't worry, men, they'll all be firing at me!" Out scouting after 2nd Bull Run and Chantilly, he was killed when shot by Rebels when he didn't surrender.

Answer: Camp Douglas

Camp Douglas, located on the south side of Chicago. described as "The North's Andersonville" was the largest Union prisoner-of-war camps. The official death toll at Camp Douglas has been put at 4,454. Others have estimated that from 1862 through 1865, more than 6,000 Confederate prisoners died from disease, starvation, and the bitterly cold winters, based in part on an 1880s memorial in Chicago's Oak Woods Cemetery that states 6,000 Confederate dead (4,275 known dead) are buried there in a mass grave.

Answer: 2nd Manassas

The NY unit suffered the greatest loss of life in any Union infantry regiment in any single action of the war. Their monument at the end of New York Avenue tells of their sacrifice on August 30th, 1862. The Texans charged into the New Yorkers. The 5th New York was decimated, losing 332 men out of 525, the greatest number of soldiers killed of any Federal regiment in a single battle. All in only ten minutes!

Answer: Fort Sedgwick

A Union fort at Petersburg, was known to keep up bombardments, at times incessantly. Rebel soldiers had to scramble for cover all hours of day or night and suffered lack of sleep.

Answer: Gettysburg

Longstreet under Lee ordered a feu d'enfer on Hancock's center lines before launching what is now infamously known as "Pickett's Charge." A favorite of Napoleon, massive artillery/cannon fire would be concentrated on a small and specific area of the enemy lines prior to a ground assault.

The intent of feu d'enfer was to weaken enemy lines and lower enemy morale. Of course, in Napoleonic times rifle range allowed artillery to move very close to the enemy improving accuracy and effectiveness.

Answer: Battery Wagner

This siege included the use of over 40 cannon and seven warships as the Union attempted to recapture Charleston, a symbol of the southern Rebellion. Bombardment
of the fort lasted several days. The movie was "Glory".